Final Fantasy VII is a wonderful game. Having a single material that contains all the magics of that family is essential for excelling near the end of the game.

Steps

1

Always buy at least one of each new materia, and always have it equipped on the characters you are using.

2

For the materia you cannot buy in shops, be sure you acquire it. You will need every type of materia in that family in order to get the corresponding Master Materia. If you are missing any, go back and retrieve it.

3

Fight lots of battles. Take extra time on the world map to level up your materia. Your characters will naturally level up as well, making the game easier.

4

Once you max out the level of a materia you do not plan on using (ie., Mystify or Exit), you may unequip it.

5

Be sure you max out every single materia of that type. For example, all Summon materia must be maxed out before you will obtain a Master Summon materia.

6

If you obtain materia late in the game (perhaps you missed it early on), there are bangles and weapons that will double or triple the experience for materia in those slots.

7

When you have maxed out every materia of the type you are seeking to master, a Master materia will be born. Use it wisely, for with great power comes great responsibility.